Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
where sthey were not, there the history-priests 3 the Apostles misled them, as may be clearly seen in the disciples.
Galatians.
22. And so the kingdom of Christ grew not in power only, but for the most part in the history ; the saints born in Christ, they confirm that many times with great wonders [or miracles], and the history-priests of Baal, they always built upon those [miracles of the saints] that which was good for the promoting virtue and good manners ; many brought forth thistles and thorns, that they might make strife and wars ; many sought only great honour, dignity, and glory, that it should be conferred upon the Church of Christ and her ministers, as it may be seen in Popery, out of what root it is grown. And it came so far, that they mingled the Jewish ceremonies in their doings, as if the justification of a poor sinner did lie in them, because they were of divine appoint47p. 738 ment ; for which cause, the Apostles held the first Council at Jerusalem, where the Holy Ghost concluded, that they should only cleave to Christ in true love one to another, and that was the only justification before God.
23. But it availed not, pride would erect its throne, and set it above Christ, the devil would be
1 fair, subtle God ; and they made l glosses, that they might pretences and . . , , , . , expositions of bring it to pass in such a way, that the simple people might not take notice of it ; there the keys of Peter must govern the city, and they drew
2 Jus together with the keys 2 divine authority to them, and so could use the divine power in deeds and wonders no more ; for they desired to be rich and wealthy upon earth, and not to be poor with Christ, who in this world (as himself witnesseth) had not whereon to lay his head ; they would not be such Christians in power and wonders ; as Adam, who would not live in the power, but in a great heap [of earth], that he might have something to take hold of. And here may be rightly seen our misery which Adam brought us into, that our essences always reach after the spirit of this world, and desire only to fill themselves with a great heap, from whence Adam and we all have got such a swelled, gross, untoward body, full of sickness, contrariety, and contentious desires.
24. Now when the historical Christendom and the true Christians grew together, the sceptre was always among the learned, who exalted themselves,
Ch. 2G] OP THE FEAST OF PENTECOST 739 and made themselves potent, and great ; and the simple [Church] yielded to it as right ; and yet there was a desire after the kingdom of God found in men, viz. the noble Word of God (which had
1 imprinted itself in the promise [in paradise], in l imaged or the light of life, and which was made stirring by in the mind.
Christ) that drave them indeed to the fear of God.
And then they built great 2 houses of stone, and 2 temples or i-i , , -IT i churches.
called every one thither ; and they said that the Holy Ghost was powerful there, and they must come thither; 3 besides, they durst be so impudent 8 saying, DO f -, i as we say.
as to say (when they were tound to be so wicked and not as wo do and malicious) that the Holy Ghost was powerfully in the mouth of the wicked.
25. But, thou hypocrite, thou liest ; if thou art ungodly, thou canst not raise 4the dead, thou canst 4 the dead in
IITI _ . trespasses
convert none that in this world lie drowned in and sins, sins ; thou mayest stir the heart of the believer indeed (through thy voice) which is a work of the spirit, but thou bringest forth none out of death [into life] ; it is an impossible thing. For if thou wilt convert a poor sinner, which is drowned in sin, and lieth captive in the anger, then the Holy Ghost must be in thy mouth, and thy essences must take hold of his, and then thy light will shine in him, and thou shalt raise him out of the death of sins, and with thy love, in thy tincture, catch him ; and then he will come to thee with a hearty desire, longing after the kingdom of heaven ; and then thou art his confessor, and hast the keys
p. 740
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 26
1 the Holy
Ghost
2 Or fashion.
8 disputations, the and contro false power,
where sthey were not, there the history-priests 3 the Apostles misled them, as may be clearly seen in the disciples.
Galatians.
22. And so the kingdom of Christ grew not in power only, but for the most part in the history ; the saints born in Christ, they confirm that many times with great wonders [or miracles], and the history-priests of Baal, they always built upon those [miracles of the saints] that which was good for the promoting virtue and good manners ; many brought forth thistles and thorns, that they might make strife and wars ; many sought only great honour, dignity, and glory, that it should be conferred upon the Church of Christ and her ministers, as it may be seen in Popery, out of what root it is grown. And it came so far, that they mingled the Jewish ceremonies in their doings, as if the justification of a poor sinner did lie in them, because they were of divine appoint47
738 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 26 ment ; for which cause, the Apostles held the first Council at Jerusalem, where the Holy Ghost concluded, that they should only cleave to Christ in true love one to another, and that was the only justification before God.
23. But it availed not, pride would erect its throne, and set it above Christ, the devil would be
1 fair, subtle God ; and they made l glosses, that they might pretences and . . , , , . , expositions of bring it to pass in such a way, that the simple people might not take notice of it ; there the keys of Peter must govern the city, and they drew
2 Jus together with the keys 2 divine authority to them, and so could use the divine power in deeds and wonders no more ; for they desired to be rich and wealthy upon earth, and not to be poor with Christ, who in this world (as himself witnesses) had not whereon to lay his head ; they would not be such Christians in power and wonders ; as Adam, who would not live in the power, but in a great heap [of earth], that he might have something to take hold of. And here may be rightly seen our misery which Adam brought us into, that our essences always reach after the spirit of this world, and desire only to fill themselves with a great heap, from whence Adam and we all have got such a swelled, gross, untoward body, full of sickness, contrariety, and contentious desires.
24. Now when the historical Christendom and the true Christians grew together, the sceptre was always among the learned, who exalted themselves,
Ch. 2G] OP THE FEAST OF PENTECOST 739 and made themselves potent, and great ; and the simple [Church] yielded to it as right ; and yet there was a desire after the kingdom of God found in men, viz. the noble Word of God (which had
1 imprinted itself in the promise [in paradise], in l imaged or the light of life, and which was made stirring by in the mind.
Christ) that drave them indeed to the fear of God.
And then they built great 2 houses of stone, and 2 temples or i-i , , -IT i churches.
called every one thither ; and they said that the Holy Ghost was powerful there, and they must come thither; 3 besides, they durst be so impudent 8 saying, DO f -, i as we say.
as to say (when they were tound to be so wicked and not as wo do and malicious) that the Holy Ghost was powerfully in the mouth of the wicked.
25. But, you hypocrite, you liest ; if you are ungodly, you can not raise 4the dead, you can 4 the dead in
IITI _ . trespasses
convert none that in this world lie drowned in and sins, sins ; you may stir the heart of the believer indeed (through your voice) which is a work of the spirit, but you bring forth none out of death [into life] ; it is an impossible thing. For if you will convert a poor sinner, which is drowned in sin, and lies captive in the anger, then the Holy Ghost must be in your mouth, and your essences must take hold of his, and then your light will shine in him, and you shall raise him out of the death of sins, and with your love, in your tincture, catch him ; and then he will come to you with a hearty desire, longing after the kingdom of heaven ; and then you are his confessor, and have the keys
p. 740
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 26
1 the Holy
Ghost
2 Or fashion.
8 disputations, the and contro false power,